Putin's Response: An Olive Branch or Just Rhetoric?

Sun Dec 21 2025 20:07:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Steve Rosenberg reflects on his tense exchange with Putin regarding future relations with the West amidst escalating tensions in Europe.

In a recent live interview with Vladimir Putin, BBC's Steve Rosenberg posed a pivotal question regarding Russia's future. Putin highlighted Western disrespect and deception, insisting that military operations could cease if Russia's security is respected. The exchange raises questions about the sincerity of Putin's claims for peace, especially amid ongoing conflicts and mutual distrust with Europe.

Reporters ask world leaders questions all the time. No big deal. Right?

But what's it like putting a question to Vladimir Putin - the president who ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the leader whose country was accused by MI6 of the export of chaos?

Imagine asking that question live on TV while millions of Russians are watching. It's a big responsibility; you don't want to mess up.

My question is about Russia's future. What kind of future are you planning for your country and your people? I ask President Putin.

Will the future be like the present, with any public objection to the official line punishable by law? Will the hunt for enemies at home and abroad be accelerated? Will mobile internet outages become even more common? Will there be new 'special military operations'?

While I'm speaking, Vladimir Putin is making notes and then replies.

He defends Russia's repressive foreign agent law, asserting, We didn't invent it, claiming that it mirrors laws in Western countries. Yet, in practice, the Russian law is draconian, imposing severe restrictions on designated individuals.

However, I cannot counter his claims; the microphone is taken away after my question. The conversation swiftly spins to the BBC facing a massive lawsuit from the U.S.

Putin then redirects back to my question, stating that military operations could end if the West treats Russia with respect. Unless you cheat us, like you did with NATO's eastward expansion, he warns.

This interaction highlights Putin's deep resentment towards the West. He believes that decades of disrespect and deception have characterized Russia's interactions with Western leaders, whom he accuses of lying about Moscow's intentions to attack Europe.

European countries, however, are hesitant to trust Russia given its prior denials before the invasion of Ukraine and accusations of aggressive actions in the region.

As Putin finished his answer, it called into question whether there was any genuine olive branch extended to Europe from the Russian president, especially considering his maximal demands concerning security linked with Ukraine.